| Aziz Idris |
EMPLOYMENT is fundamental to the well-being of individuals including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
A local start-up company called UnikLearn has come up with a pilot project to introduce a vocational training and internship programme designed for autistic youths to help them overcome the challenges in finding employment.
During a press conference at DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) Auditorium in Anggerek Desa yesterday, Rasyidah Samah, Project Leader from UnikLearn said the programme is designed by professional therapists for autistic youths or youths with developmental delays to help them to overcome challenges such as learning and interpreting social cues, teamwork and multi-tasking skills.
“Autistic individuals are unique,” she said adding, “UnikLearn hopes to shed a positive light on autism towards inclusion in our caring society.”
The initiative is one of the first responders to the 2018 New Year’s titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The monarch consented for the amendment of the Act and Regulations for Pension and Allowance for People with Different Abilities (OKU).
“Hence, we hope that this initiative could help amplify their capabilities by providing them with training that could potentially help sustain themselves,” she added.
The programme is open for registration to individuals age 16 and above, diagnosed with ASD or with developmental delays.
Once registered, an assessment will be performed and will then enter the training phase under one-to-one supervision of trained therapists and supervisors to ensure each trainee reach their expected milestone.
Depending on the client’s cognitive ability and willingness to learn, the programme is expected to run over six months before the trainees are placed to their work placement.
“After the training phase, we will place them in work placement under the Unikkone pop ups which eventually leads to employment. By that time, we hope to expand our work placement to other training grounds,” she said.
Unikkone is a premium brand ice cream that is produced specially for UnikLearn. The trainees will be involved in the front line by serving flavoured ice cream which will be sold at pop-ups based at Progresif Cellular headquarters and soon phase out to trucks and cafes. Proceeds from Unikkone will go to UnikLearn programme’s scholarship fund for students with a low income background.
Among the stakeholders involved with the pilot project are ANNUR, the main supporting partner, Progresif, the marketing partner and Startup Brunei, the administrator. Kingston Beverage and Creamery will also be one of the supporters.
“This is one of the first initiatives to be done in the nation and we hope to get the public’s support. This pilot project hopes to empower special needs individuals by equipping them with set skills for them to lead meaningful lives. We also hope to promote inclusion and acceptance in society. Hence, getting these students involved in the process.
“As this is a pilot project, we hope to make this programme sustainable by maintaining the quality and development of the training so that it will be at par – or maybe even better – with other social enterprises within the region,” said Rasyidah.
Registration can be made at SPARK life skills centre in Jangsak (Lot 6780, Simpang 822, Kampong Jangsak) during office hours. Information is available on website www.uniklearn.com or on ‘uniklearn’ social media platforms. Registration closes on April 23 at 4.30pm.
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